Driven: Mitsubishi Colt 1.3 3dr

The supermini sector is fiercely competitive, so Mitsubishi has rearmed its Colt with updates. These include an aggressive front end that apes the Lancer Evos, plus a smarter interior with new, dark plastics and a simpler dash layout.

Rear-seat space remains good, and theres now a longer kit list, too. For £1000 over the basic CZ1, the CZ2 includes air-conditioning, steering wheel-mounted stereo controls, electric mirrors, cruise control and front foglights. It also has a 94bhp 1.3-litre petrol engine with respectable economy and emissions.

Driven

Weve driven the three-door: its flexible and plucky round town, where the cars light steering is ideal and the cabin is relatively quiet, but the ride can be jittery.

All Colts now come with MP3 connectivity and lights which stay on while you get to your front door, plus a list of attractive safety features, including anti-lock brakes, a system which flashes the hazards at double speed when you have to brake extra hard, and assisted braking to help you do so. Its disappointing, then, that the car comes with only two airbags.